One look at either of Jose Padilha's Elite Squad films and you'll know you're about to experience something totally unique. Combining huge, violent action in the Hollywood style mixed with the gritty authenticity of City of God(the script comes from that film's writer), there's a reason why Elite Squad: The Enemy Within is the highest grossing Brazilian film of all time. Wagner Moura stars as veteran police captain Roberto Nascimento, who finds himself in a bloody political dispute after a prison riot operation goes horribly wrong.
Bringing in "found footage" experts Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman(Catfish) to direct the third chapter in the Paranormal Activity saga proved to be a wise decision, as they brought some fresh innovations to the increasingly familiar story of a family plagued by a malevolent spirit. Taking us all the way back to the very beginning, the film follows the tormented sisters Katie and Kristi as children, explaining why they were chosen. To be fair, the explanation doesn't exactly work, but those who were terrified by the previous movies will probably sleep with one eye open.
Is there any actor who does "haunted" and "brooding" better than Michael Shannon? The actor is perfect for Take Shelter, about a small town man who begins to have dark visions of a coming disaster. This makes him a pariah to his friends and colleagues, who think his family history of mental illness has finally caught up with him. Jessica Chastain provides a natural, grounded presence as Shannon's wife, who is torn between the trust she has for her husband, and that which she can(or can't) see right in front of her eyes.
Other Notable Releases
The Rum Diary, starring Johnny Depp
Human Centipede II: Full Sequence, directed by Tom Six
Woody Allen: A Documentary
Three Outlaw Samurai (Criterion Collection), directed by Hideo Gosha
The Lorax (2-Disc Blu-Ray/DVD), by Dr. Seuss
Dragon Age: Redemption, starring Felicia Day
Wainy Days, directed by David Wain
The Perfect Weapon (Blu-Ray), starring Jeff Speakman
All Things Fall Apart, starring 50 Cent and Ray Liotta
Tiny Furniture (Criterion Collection), starring Lena Dunham
